The best traffic-free bike rides around Wommelgem

Those who had to go through it knew they were going to stay...

The bridge that leads you to the city...

The St. John's Bridge was destroyed during both World Wars. It was later replaced by the current natural stone arch bridge; the road surface is paved with iron railings. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Zimmerplein, https://id.erfgoed.net/themas/2689

The inner Eeckelpoort or Eikelpoort was built around 1375 and was part of Lier's former city walls. This building was connected to the outer gate by a bridge. In the 16th century, the city prison was housed here, hence the name "Prisoners' Gate." Above the original pointed arch stands a statue of St. Margaret. The 18th-century renovation in a classicizing Baroque style gave the monument its current appearance. In 1980, the gate was designated a protected monument. In 2008-2009, the gate was completely restored. During the restoration, several remnants of the old city wall were also discovered. A glass floor has been installed inside so that these remains remain visible to the public.

City gate built around 1375 and part of the former city walls. Formerly connected by a bridge across the moat to the outer gate on the other side of the walls. From the second half of the 16th century onwards, it was used as a prison, hence the name "Prisoner's Gate." Significantly dilapidated at the beginning of the 18th century; largely demolished and rebuilt with Balegem sandstone around 1727. The upper floor remained in use as a prison until 1930. Originally Gothic city gate, later adapted with Classical features. Two-story construction on a rectangular plan under a projecting slate hipped roof with simple dormers and natural stone chimneys at the corners, crowned with wrought ironwork and a weathervane on the left. On the city side, three bays are marked by a central projection, ending in a triangular pediment with an oculus; Round-arched gate (modified in 1727?) crowned by a classicist alcove with a wooden polychrome statue of St. Roch with child (possibly an angel), flanked by iron lantern arms. The statue was recently restored by L. Verhoeven. Higher up, a rectangular barred window in a strap-shaped frame with ears, beneath a curved pediment. To its left and right are rectangular barred windows with bluestone lintels and sills. On the ground floor, flanking extensions, probably dating from the second quarter of the 18th century, each with three bays and one story on a natural stone plinth, are under adjoining slate roofs with dormers. Bluestone and natural stone are used for the wall bands. Rectangular barred cloister windows. Side facade of Zimmerplein: above left, a rectangular barred window with a bluestone lintel and sill. Extension on a rectangular plan made of brick and sandstone, beneath a bisected slate tent roof. Horizontally accentuated by a sandstone substructure and wall bands. Rectangular barred windows in a sandstone quarter-cave frame. To the left, a more recent extension. Cobblestone passageway with a pointed sandstone barrel vault on the field side and a brick and sandstone barrel vault on the city side, on a pitched plinth with preserved grooves for the draw gate on the field side. On the right, a wooden panel depicting Saint Roch and the inscription: "Reach out here your benevolent hands/ To light the image of Saint Roch/ So that in sad times you may be freed/ From plague and war." Inventory of Immovable Heritage: City Gate Inner Eeckelpoort, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/10283

The Brilschanspark landscaped park was built on the site of one of the redoubts of the Great Wall. A lunette, a V-shaped building, stood separate from the fortifications. This lunette gave the current park its name: lunettes is the French word for spectacles. To protect the fortress, it was surrounded by a moat. The moat was never filled in and still forms the V-shaped pond in the park. The fortress building itself was demolished to build Berchem's town hall. However, this plan was never realized, and in 1963 it was decided to create a municipal park there. At the center of the park is a hill beneath which lie the remains of the redoubt. The park features a large playground and an extensive path network along which you can explore the park. Source: https://www.antwerpen.be/info/brilschanspark

One of the green oases in the Borgerhout district, on the border with Deurne, is Boelaarpark: a true paradise for walking and playing. It covers 16 hectares. Its charming name immediately describes it: "boe" comes from beech and "laar" means a clearing in the forest. It was one of the many "courts of pleasure" around Antwerp's city center that wealthy residents used as playgrounds for outdoor recreation. Want to know more? Historical information, etc. Click through to https://www.natuurgidsen-antwerpen.be/wandelgebieden/borgerhout-te-boelaerpark/

The Prisoners' Gate was built in 1375 as part of the first city walls. This gate is the only remaining section of the oldest defensive wall with five inner gates. From the 16th century until 1930, the gate served as a prison, hence its current name. The Prisoners' Gate, formerly Eeckelpoort or Eikelpoort, is a Gothic city gate, later adapted with classical features (around 1728). On the side facing Begijnhofstraat, the original pointed arch has been preserved. On both sides, there is a niche with the statues of Saint Roch and Saint Margaret. Part of the Prisoners' Gate is now used by the adjacent hotel. The Prisoners' Gate is part of the core beguinage zone, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Source: https://www.visitlier.be/nl/zien/erfgoed/gevangenenpoort